It was an unsuccessful outing for both Aussies at today’s One on TNT 3 event with both Reece McLaren and ‘John’ Wayne Parr going down.
McLaren, ranked the number 5 flyweight contender in the promotion, was competing in the co-main event against number 4 ranked Yuya Wakamatsu.
The 29-year-old Gold Coast-based fighter had his moments which included gaining mount in the first round where he unloaded with strikes before looking for the rear-naked choke submission just before the round ended.
It’s ALL Reece McLaren to end Round 1! ⚡ @ReeceMclaren91 @tntdrama @BleacherReport @BR_MMA @brlive #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship #ONEonTNT3 pic.twitter.com/0YdE8NwQJ9
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) April 22, 2021
Wakamatsu took control from there, did well to stuff the takedown attempts from McLaren who slowed down as the fight went on.
The Japanese fighter walked away with the unanimous decision.
In his post-fight interview, a heartbroken Mclaren apologised to his friends and family, including his fiance who is expecting a child later this year.
“This was really supposed to be my breakout party,” McLaren said who was lost for words on his performance.
“I wasn’t shocked that he stopped my takedown, but what can I say… I’m just heartbroken,” McLaren finished.
In the opening fight of the night, under Muay Thai rules, ‘John’ Wayne Parr walked away short of 100 career kickboxing/Muay Thai wins again as Nieky Holzken stopped him in the second round.
After having hip surgery last year, just returning to the ring was an achievement for Parr. The 44-year-old was dropped with a spinning heel kick in the first round and was on his back again early in the second round when a left landed flush. Moments later a head-kick ended the contest once and for all.
Nieky Holzken 🇳🇱 wins this clash of striking legends, crumpling John Wayne Parr in Round 2! @niekyholzken @tntdrama @BleacherReport @BR_MMA @brlive #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship #ONEonTNT3 pic.twitter.com/x6YnpF6HPj
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) April 22, 2021
“I’ve followed Nieky for 15-years,” Parr said in his post-fight interview
“I reckon he is awesome and just the fact that I’m fighting him, I thought ‘Wow, this is so cool’, and I had a crack, I had a try. Sometimes you get the job done, sometimes it doesn’t go your way. It’s such an honour to share the ring with a legend so thank you very much.
Full Results:
- John Lineker def. Troy Worthen via KO (Punches), Rd 1, 4:35
- Yuya Wakamatsu def. Reece McLaren via Decision (Unanimous)
- Rae Yoon Ok def. Marat Gafurov via Decision (Unanimous)
- Li Tao Miao def. Ryuto Sawada via Decision (Unanimous)
- Nieky Holzken def. John Wayne Parr via KO (Head-Kick), Rd 2, 1:23
